As Eagles Fly
Page 16
She knew by his pallor and by the white line that encircled his mouth that he was suffering as she had never seen a man suffer before.
She wanted to touch him, but she did not dare.
She only knew that what was happening was a crucifixion for them both, but there was nothing they could do about it.
The procession came nearer and still nearer.
Suddenly there was the sound of galloping hooves thundering over the dry wasteland they were standing on.
Lord Athelstan turned his head in the direction of the sound and so did Hawkins. They saw a man approaching in a wild manner that proclaimed him a Cossack.
He drew up his horse sharply just as he reached the tent, pulling the animal back almost onto its haunches and flung himself from the saddle.
He held out a rather crumpled white envelope to Lord Athelstan who accepted it automatically.
He knew full well what it contained. They had already learnt of the exchange of hostages.
Hawkins rewarded the Cossack and the man, his white teeth shining as he smiled, flung himself back into the saddle.
He saluted and moved away as Lord Athelstan opened the envelope and drew out the piece of paper it contained,
“On Thursday, March 11th, 1855 Djemmal Eddin, son of Shamyl the Avar, Imam of Daghestan and the sum of forty thousand roubles were exchanged for the hostages who had been held for eight months in captivity.
Those of Colonel Prince David Tchavtchavadze’s household who were returned are listed below – ”
Lord Athelstan went on reading.
Then suddenly he gave a cry, a sound in which there appeared to be mingled both triumph and horror.
He pressed the paper into Natasha’s hands and picked her up in his arms.
The procession was within a few yards of the tent when Lord Athelstan turned in the other direction.
He carried Natasha across the intervening space between the tent and the rowboat manned by British sailors that was held at the quayside awaiting him.
After one startled glance, Hawkins followed them.
Lord Athelstan deposited Natasha into the boat, sprang in and the sailors cast off.
“What is – happening? What – are you – doing?” she asked in a frightened voice that was hardly above a whisper. “You cannot do – this! I – must go with – them!”
“Look at the list! Look at it!” Lord Athelstan cried in such a strange voice that it was difficult to recognise it. “I heard him say it and still it did not penetrate my mind. God! How could I have been such a fool?”
“What are you – talking about? What has – happened?” Natasha asked.
Because he seemed to expect it of her, she opened with trembling fingers the crumpled paper he had thrust against her breast and stared at it.
The names were listed,
“H.S.H. Princess Anna Tchavtchavada and her children Prince Tamara, Prince Alexander, Princess Salome and Princess Marie.
H.S.H. Princess Varvara Orbeliani and her son Prince George.
H.S.H. Princess Nina Baratoff.
Madame Drancy.
Count Dimitri Melikov.
The servants and their children are as follows – ”
Natasha gave a little cry and Lord Athelstan said, still in the tone he had used before,
“The Prince said in my presence that he would not allow even the youngest of his servants’ children to be detained – but still I did not realise it!”
There was so much self-accusation in his voice that Natasha wanted to comfort him, but they had reached the ship.
The sailors were waiting to help them up the rope ladder onto the deck.
She climbed up and only when she was helped aboard by a man wearing the uniform of a British Captain did she look back to see the procession from the seraglio standing staring at them.
The band had ceased playing and they appeared utterly bewildered at what had occurred.
Lord Athelstan had climbed up behind Natasha.
“Welcome aboard, my Lord,” the Captain intoned.
Lord Athelstan held out his hand.
“Thank you, Captain Brownlow” he replied. “I should be grateful if we could put to sea immediately!”
“That’s exactly what I intend to do, my Lord!”
“Also I should be obliged if you could exercise your authority as Captain and marry me as soon as possible to the Countess Natasha Melikov, whom I have brought with me.”
The Captain’s expression did not alter.
It might have been quite an everyday occurrence for a lady to come aboard dressed in a diaphanous oriental costume and that he should be asked to marry her to a member of the British Nobility.
“It’ll be a pleasure, my Lord,” he said. “The Admiral’s cabin is ready for your Lordship.”
“Thank you very much,” Lord Athelstan replied.
He put his arm around Natasha and helped her down the steep companionway and an Officer showed them into the Admiral’s cabin.
It was large, airy and well-furnished, but, if it was austere after the luxury of The Corinth, they did not notice.
They could only stand gazing at each other as the door closed behind the Officer and they were alone.
Suddenly, as Lord Athelstan put his arms around Natasha, she burst into tears.
“My darling! My precious! It’s all right! It’s over!” he said. “But I will never forgive myself for not believing that Prince David would get his way!”
He drew her closer.
“I might have known,” he said as if to himself, “that Shamyl would somehow convince his Murids that money was not important and, in forgoing the larger ransom, they saved their souls!”
Natasha was crying against his shoulder. He put up his hand to draw the jewelled brooch from her hair and with it the muslin veil. He threw them both to the floor.
“Don’t cry!” he pleaded. “I have never known you cry. You have been so brave, my beloved – so marvellously, unbelievably brave and now I will make you forget your suffering.”
“I am – crying because I – am so – happy!” Natasha sobbed. “I thought I would lose – you and – now we can be – together!”
Lord Athelstan drew a deep breath – then, very gently, he put his fingers under her chin and turned her face up to his.
The tears were wet on her cheeks and her eyes were filled with them, but she was smiling and he thought he had never seen her look so ethereal.
“The future is all ours, my precious!”
“We can – fly like – eagles!” she answered, but her voice broke on the words.
Then Lord Athelstan’s lips were on hers, kissing her wildly, frantically, desperately like a man who has come back from the grave.
He drew her closer and still closer.
They were in the sky, high above the world, omnipotent, undefeatable and together.
Neither of them heard the Captain come into the cabin with a prayer book in his hand.
OTHER BOOKS IN THIS SERIES
The Barbara Cartland Eternal Collection is the unique opportunity to collect as ebooks all five hundred of the timeless beautiful romantic novels written by the world’s most celebrated and enduring romantic author.
Named the Eternal Collection because Barbara’s inspiring stories of pure love, just the same as love itself, the books will be published on the internet at the rate of four titles per month until all five hundred are available.
The Eternal Collection, classic pure romance available worldwide for all time .
Elizabethan Lover
The Little Pretender
A Ghost in Monte Carlo
A Duel of Hearts
The Saint and the Sinner
The Penniless Peer
The Proud Princess
The Dare-Devil Duke
Diona and a Dalmatian
A Shaft of Sunlight
Lies for Love
Love and Lucia
Love and the Loathsome Leopard
&
nbsp; Beauty or Brains
The Temptation of Torilla
The Goddess and the Gaiety Girl
Fragrant Flower
Look Listen and Love
The Duke and the Preacher’s Daughter
A Kiss for the King
The Mysterious Maid-servant
Lucky Logan Finds Love
The Wings of Ecstacy
Mission to Monte Carlo
Revenge of the Heart
The Unbreakable Spell
Never Laugh at Love
Bride to a Brigand
Lucifer and the Angel
Journey to a Star
Solita and the Spies
The Chieftain Without a Heart
No Escape from Love
Dollars for the duke
Pure and Untouched
Secrets
Fire in the Blood
Love, Lies and Marriage
The Ghost who Fell in Love
Hungry for Love
The Wild Cry of Love
The Blue-eyed Witch
The Punishment of a Vixen
The Secret of the Glen
Bride to the King
For All Eternity
King in Love
A Marriage made in Heaven
Who can deny Love?
Riding to the Moon
Wish for Love
Dancing on a Rainbow
Gypsy Magic
Love in the Clouds
Count the Stars
White Lilac
Too Precious to Lose
The Devil Defeated
An Angel Runs Away
The Duchess Disappeared
The Pretty Horse-breakers
The Prisoner of Love
Ola and the Sea Wolf
The Castle made for Love
A Heart is Stolen
The Love Pirate
As Eagles Fly
The Magic of Love
Love Leaves at Midnight
A Witch’s Spell
THE LATE DAME BARBARA CARTLAND
Barbara Cartland, who sadly died in May 2000 at the grand age of ninety eight, remains one of the world’s most famous romantic novelists. With worldwide sales of over one billion, her outstanding 723 books have been translated into thirty six different languages, to be enjoyed by readers of romance globally.
Writing her first book ‘Jigsaw’ at the age of 21, Barbara became an immediate bestseller. Building upon this initial success, she wrote continuously throughout her life, producing bestsellers for an astonishing 76 years. In addition to Barbara Cartland’s legion of fans in the UK and across Europe, her books have always been immensely popular in the USA. In 1976 she achieved the unprecedented feat of having books at numbers 1 & 2 in the prestigious B. Dalton Bookseller bestsellers list.
Although she is often referred to as the ‘Queen of Romance’, Barbara Cartland also wrote several historical biographies, six autobiographies and numerous theatrical plays as well as books on life, love, health and cookery. Becoming one of Britain’s most popular media personalities and dressed in her trademark pink, Barbara spoke on radio and television about social and political issues, as well as making many public appearances.
In 1991 she became a Dame of the Order of the British Empire for her contribution to literature and her work for humanitarian and charitable causes.
Known for her glamour, style, and vitality Barbara Cartland became a legend in her own lifetime. Best remembered for her wonderful romantic novels and loved by millions of readers worldwide, her books remain treasured for their heroic heroes, plucky heroines and traditional values. But above all, it was Barbara Cartland’s overriding belief in the positive power of love to help, heal and improve the quality of life for everyone that made her truly unique.
AS EAGLES FLY
Barbara Cartland
Barbara Cartland Ebooks Ltd
This edition © 2013
Copyright Cartland Promotions 1975
eBook conversion by M-Y Books